Sildenafil Citrate Gives a Ray of Hope to the Fatally Ailing Child
6 years old old Alexis Rodriguez has been prescribed sildenafil citrate/Viagra after she was diagnosed with a serious lung condition caused by a heart defect. The drug, commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, appears to be giving the child increased energy and stamina.
The 31-pound girl with gleaming silver baby teeth and eyes like little brown globes has the energy to run home from school, possibly because she takes a drug formulated to give men a boost.
Rodriguez has taken liquid sildenafil citrate-the active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra-for a few months to treat secondary pulmonary hypertension, a lung condition caused by a heart defect.
Hope in the therapy isn't misplaced, although the data isn't complete as to whether Viagra could be an effective long-term solution. Source: gazetteextra.com, January 24, 2006 |
